Lessons of History

It was thirty or forty years ago
But I still remember the day he spoke
This president of a giant company
And arrogant because of it
What’s good for General Motors
he boasted is good for America

In a legislative inquiry
He had been caught red-handed
Trying to destroy the reputation
Of a young man who challenged his company
At the time it seemed an historic moment
And the young man’s career rocketed
Later we realized nothing had changed

But imagine my feelings this morning
When I read an article in the Times
About powerful men in Russia
Now that capitalism has been installed

A media mogul stuffed with money
Puffed with the same pride as that other
Pronounced that business embraced everything
And here he’s quoted what’s good for business
He said is also good for Russia

Have we not met this barbarian before
Who remembers only what flatters
Small consolation for the Russian people
Innocent of what’s in store for them

3/19-3/29/97, 5/11/98
Copyright 1998 by Maurice Leiter

Posted with permission.